Fri 10th Dec 2021 - Luminar founder Stephen Thomas passes away Luminar founder Stephen Thomas passes away: Stephen Thomas, the founder of Luminar, which was at one time the UK’s leading nightclub operator, has passed away at the age of 68. Thomas started Luminar in 1988 with a £22,000 bank loan and built it into a business that at its peak had more than 300 venues and a market value of more than £800m. Luminar, which listed in 1996, operated brands including Oceana, Liquid, Life, Lava-Ignite and Chicago Rock Café. He had recently returned to the sector with new vehicle Dance Drink Entertainment (DDE), which is backed by Hugh Osmond, the former PizzaExpress and Punch Taverns tycoon, with plans to build another bar and nightclub business across the UK, starting with the Liberation and Rhythm Room concepts. The family of Stephen Thomas said: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Stephen Thomas on the 8 December, aged 68. We loved Stephen dearly, he was our world, and he will be greatly missed by us all. This was a tragic and unexpected loss, and so we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”